| David Cameron recently visited Turkey to | | | | issue? |
| express his support for Turkey to join the | | | | British PM David Cameron confirmed that the UK |
| European Union as a member state - a view that | | | | government will support Turkish accession to the |
| is unpopular both with the French and German | | | | EU during a recent visit to Ankara in 2010: |
| governments but also with many supporters of | | | | "When I think about what Turkey has done to |
| Mr Cameron's own Conservative party. | | | | defend Europe as a NATO ally and what Turkey |
| Since the mid 1980s the Turkish government has | | | | is doing today in Afghanistan alongside our |
| made EU membership a long-standing aim of its | | | | European allies, it makes me angry that your |
| platform to modernise both the economy and the | | | | progress toward EU membership can be |
| political system of the Turkish state. However, in | | | | frustrated in the way it has been," Cameron said. |
| recent times, this aim has been frustrated by | | | | "It is wrong to say Turkey can guard the camp |
| European leaders who are seemingly increasingly | | | | but not be allowed to sit inside the tent." |
| reluctant to grant Turkey full membership. | | | | The British position is supported by the USA, |
| Arguments for Turkey joining the EU. | | | | Spain and Italy as well as numerous other smaller |
| Turkey has a large and rapidly growing economy | | | | European states. |
| which is already closely integrated with major EU | | | | However French President Nicolas Sarkozy has |
| trading partners such as the UK, Germany, France | | | | expressed fundamental opposition to Turkey's |
| and Italy. | | | | entry into the EU citing geographical reasons to |
| Both Turkish and European companies would | | | | prevent EU accession: |
| benefit from Turkey's accession into the EU which | | | | "I do not believe that Turkey belongs to Europe, |
| would reduce barriers to trade stimulating foreign | | | | and for a simple reason: because it is in Asia Minor. |
| direct investment both in Turkey itself and from | | | | What I wish to offer Turkey is a true partnership |
| Turkish to other European nations. | | | | with Europe, but not integration into Europe" |
| Since Roman times through to the Ottoman | | | | - N. Sarkosy, speaking in 2008 |
| Empire and more recently as a member state of | | | | German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also |
| NATO Turkey has always been historically and | | | | opposed Turkey's accession to the union |
| culturally tied to other European nations. | | | | advocating an alternative form of privileged |
| Turkey also remains an important European ally in | | | | partnership as opposed to full membership. |
| the continued efforts to combat terrorism and | | | | In 2006, Chancellor Merkel said "Turkey could be |
| provide regional stability to the Middle East. Many | | | | in deep, deep trouble when it comes to its |
| political commentators have suggested that | | | | aspirations to join the European Union" arguing |
| Turkey should be welcomed into the European | | | | that its refusal to recognise the Greek Cypriot |
| Union in order to reward and reinforce this | | | | state would forestall full accession. |
| longstanding strategic partnership. | | | | Will Turkey be accepted into the EU in the near |
| Arguments against Turkey joining the EU. | | | | future? |
| Opponents of Turkish membership tend to raise | | | | For some, this question boils down to whether the |
| the following issues. | | | | Turkey should be seen as a "European" nation. |
| Firstly, they argue that Turkish culture ad values | | | | This depends on how you define "Europe" as a |
| are inherent different to shared European norms. | | | | geographical, historical and/or cultural concept. |
| Secondly, Turkey continues to refuse formal | | | | According to this view, in defining Europe you set |
| recognition for the state of Cyprus, a fully fledged | | | | parameters which in turn will produce geographical |
| member of the European Union. The Turkish | | | | borders, historical boundaries or cultural limits. The |
| government will have to acknowledge Cyprus to | | | | answer to the question is then simple - does |
| be considered a contender for membership. | | | | Turkey fit within these parameters or outside of |
| Thirdly, many human rights campaigners are | | | | them? |
| concerned about the rights of the Kurdish ethnic | | | | For others, the question is more of a calculation, |
| group who live in the Eastern border regions of | | | | they ask: do the economic benefits (trade, |
| Turkey and harbour separatist ambitions from the | | | | market access) outweigh the political costs |
| Turkish state. | | | | (immigration flows, further sovereignty dilution). |
| The Kurdish people have limited civil liberties and | | | | On this view, entry to the EU should depend less |
| there have been reports of widespread | | | | on whether Turkey is European per se but rather |
| discrimination and repression which will need to | | | | on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis. If the |
| stop for Turkey to be considered for European | | | | benefits outweigh the costs then Turkey should |
| membership. | | | | be admitted, if the opposite is true then it should |
| Where do the major EU states stand on this | | | | not. |